Business Diary

Monday 23 March 2026 - Friday 27 March 2026

* Committee Business relates to non-substantive items of business such as the consideration of minutes of the previous meeting and consideration of correspondence or matters arising from previous meetings
TimeVenuePlenary/Committee
Monday 23 March 2026
9:30 AMRoom 30Committee for Health

Closed from 9:30 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 9:35 AM (80 mins)
Adult Protection Bill

Closed from 10:55 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business
12:00 PMAssembly ChamberPlenary Session
Tuesday 24 March 2026
9:30 AMRoom 21Assembly and Executive Review Committee

Closed from 9:30 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 9:35 AM (15 mins)
Designing a Civic/Citizen Engagement exercise
• Mrs Caroline Moore, Outreach Manager
• Claire Maguire, Outreach Manager

Closed from 9:50 AM (15 mins)
Review of Assembly committee engagement on cross-cutting Executive strategies

Closed from 10:05 AM (30 mins)
Review of the arrangements for Assembly Members’ participation in interparliamentary and international bodies - Oral briefing by EU & Interparliamentary Affairs Office
• Mr Feargal McGuinness, EU Affairs Manager
• Paul Gill, Clerk Assistant

Public from 10:35 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 10:40 AM (30 mins)
Review into Assembly and Executive Reform - RaISe briefing on public service performance data
• Mr Ray McCaffrey, Research Officer

Public from 11:10 AM (10 mins)
Committee Business
9:30 AMSenate ChamberCommittee for Health

Public from 9:30 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 9:35 AM (40 mins)
Adult Protection Bill

Closed from 10:15 AM (40 mins)
Adult Protection Bill

Closed from 10:55 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business
10:30 AMAssembly ChamberPlenary Session
1:00 PMRoom 106Business Committee

Closed from 1:00 PM (30 mins)
Committee Business
1:15 PMRoom 30Chairpersons' Liaison Group

Closed from 1:15 PM (15 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 1:30 PM (10 mins)
Proposed Amendments to Guide for Witnesses appearing before Assembly Committees

Closed from 1:40 PM (10 mins)
Guidance on Standing Order 46(8)

Closed from 1:50 PM (5 mins)
Appointment of a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson

Closed from 1:55 PM (5 mins)
Committee Business
Wednesday 25 March 2026
10:00 AMRoom 29Committee for Infrastructure

Public from 10:00 AM (30 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 10:30 AM (15 mins)
Potential Review of Planning-Related Issues - Draft Terms of Reference

Closed from 10:45 AM (30 mins)
Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill - Bill Clerk - Oral Briefing
• Mrs Liz Marsh, Assembly Clerk

Public from 11:15 AM (30 mins)
Graduated Driver Licensing Proposed Subordinate Legislation - Stakeholders – Oral Evidence
• Mr Mark Shepherd, Association of British Insurers
• Ms Carly Brookfield, Driving Instructors Association
• Mr David Boyles, Northern Ireland Approved Instructors Council

Public from 11:45 AM (30 mins)
Graduated Driver Licensing Proposed Subordinate Legislation - Northern Ireland Youth Assembly
• Mr Andrew McClean, Northern Ireland Youth Assembly
• Ms Emily Murray, Northern Ireland Youth Assembly
• Ms Aine Donnelly, Northern Ireland Youth Assembly
• Mr Cian Ruddy, Northern Ireland Youth Assembly
• Mr Reuben Beattie, Northern Ireland Youth Assembly

Public from 12:15 PM (30 mins)
SL1 – The Road Traffic (Amendment) (2016 Act) (Commencement No.4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Further Consideration

SL1 – The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Further Consideration

SL1 – The Motor Vehicles (Specified Restrictions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Further Consideration

SL1 – The Motorways Traffic (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Further Consideration

SL1 - The Road Races (Spamount Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Formal Consideration

SL1 – The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Formal Consideration

SR 2026-40 The Malone Road, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

SR 2026-41 The Drumnagoon Road, Portadown (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

SR 2026-42 The Quay Pass, Enniskillen (Abandonment) Order (Northen Ireland) 2026

Public from 12:45 PM (15 mins)
Committee Business
10:00 AMRoom 30Committee for the Economy

Public from 10:00 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 10:05 AM (55 mins)
Departmental oral and written evidence– Enhanced Investment Zone
• Ciaran McGarrity, DfE
• Adrian Grimshaw, Strategic Investment Board
• Raymond Kelly, DfE
• Brendan McGuigan, Invest NI

Public from 11:00 AM (60 mins)
Departmental oral and written evidence – Onshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
• Jimmy Graham, DfE
• Mark Wilson, DfE
• John McManus, DfE

Public from 12:00 PM (15 mins)
SR 2026/56 The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

SR 2026/57 The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

SR 2026/58 The Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Committee Business
10:00 AMRoom 21Committee on Procedures

Public from 10:00 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 10:05 AM (30 mins)
Standing Order 42A Legislative Consent Motions - Consideration of draft Standing Order
• Helen Smyth, Legal Advisor

Closed from 10:35 AM (30 mins)
Scrutiny of Delegated Powers in Bills - by Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly – Further consideration of draft Standing Orders
• Miss Angela Kelly, Examiner of Statutory Rules
• Dr Frank Geddis, Clerk Assistant

Closed from 11:05 AM (60 mins)
Review of Strategic Priorities - Review of Strategic Priorities – Final Selection of strategic priorities

Public from 12:05 PM (5 mins)
Committee Business
2:00 PMRoom 29Committee for Education

Public from 2:00 PM (15 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 2:15 PM (60 mins)
Early Years Workforce Support and the First 1001 Days - Oral Briefing by Dr Aisling Hylands
• Dr Aisling Hylands, Stranmillis University College

Public from 3:15 PM (60 mins)
Effective Early Intervention for Nursery and Early Years - Oral Briefing by NAHT
• Mrs Clare Majury, National Association of Head Teachers
• Ms Emma Corry, National Association of Head Teachers

Closed from 4:15 PM (30 mins)
Proposed Committee Bill to allow all pupils the choice to wear trousers - Consideration of Draft Instructions
• Ms Maeve Corrigan, Legal Advisor
• Ms Barbara Love, Assembly Clerk

Public from 4:45 PM (15 mins)
SL1 - Special Educational Needs (SEN) Regulations 2026 - Committee Consideration

Public from 5:00 PM (15 mins)
Committee Business
2:00 PMSenate ChamberCommittee for Finance

Public from 2:00 PM (30 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 2:30 PM (15 mins)
SR 2026/45 The Rates (Small Business Hereditament Relief) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

SR 2026/46 The Public Service Pensions Revaluation Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Public from 2:45 PM (40 mins)
Performance and Culture of the Northern Ireland Civil Service - NICS People Strategy - Oral briefing from DoF
• Ms Jill Minne, DoF
• Ms Catherine Shannon, DoF
• Mr Paul Duffy, DoF

Public from 3:25 PM (40 mins)
Outturn and Forecast Outturn - February data – Oral Briefing from DoF
• Ms Maryann Smith, DoF
• Ms Emer Rice, DoF

Public from 4:05 PM (10 mins)
Budget - Consideration of evidence from other Statutory Committees on draft Budget 2026-2029/30

Public from 4:15 PM (10 mins)
Committee Business
2:00 PMRoom 30Committee for The Executive Office

Public from 2:00 PM (10 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 2:10 PM (60 mins)
Oral Briefing: Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill - Departmental Officials (Closed Session)
• Mr Martin Carey, TEO
• Ms Francesca Murray, TEO
• Ms Stephanie Higbee, TEO

Closed from 3:10 PM (45 mins)
Oral Briefing: Assembly Legal Services - Supreme Court Judgement on religious education in Northern Ireland (Closed Session)
• Ms Htaik Win, Legal Advisor

Public from 3:55 PM (10 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 4:05 PM (40 mins)
Committee Training: Update on the new Delegated Legislation process (Closed session)
Thursday 26 March 2026
VISITEnva Recycling CentreCommittee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
10:00 AMBoardroom, Lough Neagh Fisherman's Cooperative, 4 Bannside, ToomebridgeCommittee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Public from 10:00 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 10:05 AM (60 mins)
Briefing from The Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association, ABP Food Group & Dunbia - SL1 - The Sheep Carcase Classification and Price Reporting & other issues impacting the sector

Public from 11:05 AM (60 mins)
Briefing from Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative Society Ltd - Eel Regulation, DAERA Financial support for 2025 season & concerns for 2026 season
• Ms Kathleen McBride, Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative

Public from 12:05 PM (15 mins)
Departmental Written Briefing - Annual Uplift of Marine Licensing Fees

Public from 1:05 PM (10 mins)
Committee Business
10:00 AMRoom 29Committee for Communities

Public from 10:00 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 10:05 AM (45 mins)
Charities (Amendment) Bill: Pre-introductory evidence from the Department for Communities

Public from 10:50 AM (5 mins)
SL1 The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims And Payments) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Public from 10:55 AM (5 mins)
SR 2026/43 The Pension Protection Fund and Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Public from 11:00 AM (5 mins)
SR 2026/44 The Social Security and Statutory Maternity Pay (Evidence of Pregnancy) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Public from 11:05 AM (5 mins)
SR 2026/51 The Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Public from 11:10 AM (5 mins)
SR 2026/52 The Social Security Revaluation of Earnings Factors Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Public from 11:15 AM (5 mins)
SR 2026/54 The Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance (Rates of Allowances) (Amendment and Modification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Public from 11:20 AM (5 mins)
Department for Communities Retention and Disposal Schedule

Public from 11:25 AM (10 mins)
Engagement with Local Government on the Anti-Poverty Strategy: Draft report update

Public from 11:35 AM (30 mins)
Committee Business
10:00 AMRoom 30Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee

Closed from 10:00 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 10:05 AM (30 mins)
Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents and surfactants, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 - Consideration of Draft Report

Closed from 10:35 AM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Closed from 10:40 AM (10 mins)
Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents and surfactants, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 - Agreement of Final Report

Closed from 10:50 AM (10 mins)
Committee Business
2:00 PMRoom 29Committee for Health

Public from 2:00 PM (1 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 2:01 PM (3 mins)
SL1 - The Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs Etc) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Public from 2:04 PM (1 mins)
Business Office Departmental Minutes on Contingent Liabilities

Public from 2:05 PM (85 mins)
Ministerial Briefing - HSC Trusts Governance and Accountability
• Mr Mike Nesbitt, Minister of Health
• Ms Tracey McCaig, DoH
• Mr Jim Wilkinson, DoH
• Mr Chris Matthews, DoH

Public from 3:30 PM (30 mins)
Control of Data Processing Bill - Briefing from Department of Health
• Dr Paul Rice, DoH
• Mr Tom Simpson, Digital Health and Care NI
• Dr Frances Burns, Northern Ireland Trusted Research Environment

Public from 4:00 PM (30 mins)
Adult Protection Bill - Consideration of draft report

Public from 4:30 PM (5 mins)
Written briefing - Belfast Health and Social Care Trust - Capital Costs Projects

Public from 4:35 PM (25 mins)
Committee Business
2:00 PMRoom 30Committee for Justice

Public from 2:00 PM (5 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 2:05 PM (40 mins)
Out of Court Disposals - Proposed expansion - Permanent Secretary oral evidence
• Hugh Widdis, DoJ
• Ms Lisa Rocks, DoJ
• Mr Gary McDonald, Police Service of Northern Ireland
• Mr Peter Luney, Public Prosecution Service

Public from 2:45 PM (20 mins)
Justice Bill - Consideration of draft report

Public from 3:05 PM (15 mins)
Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill - Call for Evidence proposals

Public from 3:20 PM (10 mins)
Firearms licensing fees - Department of Justice written paper

Strategic approach to Safer Communities/Organised Crime - Department of Justice written paper

Public from 3:30 PM (15 mins)
Committee Business
2:00 PMSenate ChamberPublic Accounts Committee

Public from 2:00 PM (10 mins)
Committee Business

Public from 2:10 PM (110 mins)
Memorandum of Reply - Access to General Practice in Northern Ireland

Closed from 4:00 PM (30 mins)
Committee Business

Find Your MLA

tools-map.png

Locate your local MLA.

Find MLA

News and Media Centre

tools-media.png

Read press releases, watch live and archived video

Find out more

Follow the Assembly

tools-social.png

Keep up to date with what’s happening at the Assem

Find out more

Subscribe

tools-newsletter.png

Enter your email address to keep up to date.

Sign up